"Francis Crick Institute raises alarm about train line" - Nature 25/02/2015

[whole diary]

[Brucey]

Francis Crick Institute raises alarm about train line

London biomedical powerhouse fears that proposed route will disrupt delicate science experiments.

A landmark addition to London^s science scene is on a collision course with the expansion of the city^s transport system. The Francis Crick Institute warns that vibrations and electromagnetic fields generated by Crossrail 2, a proposed railway line that would skirt the institute, could interfere with scientific work there. The teams behind both efforts are now seeking a solution.

continues

http://www.nature.com/news/francis-crick-institute-raises-alarm-about-train-line-1.16978

An interesting situation.  I have long wondered why this location was chosen for the facility.  There are plenty of science research institutes located outside major cities which do some excellent research, without being constrained by nearby construction and the limited space available to build.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Hmm.

The Long Ashton Research Station was a sizeable site, alongside the main line between Bristol and ... well, Nailsea    until it was closed down and the land sold off for no doubt very lucrative residential developments.  I'm not sure that 'vibrations and electromagnetic fields' were considerations foremost in the minds of the powers that be at the time. 

[Tim]

An interesting situation.  I have long wondered why this location was chosen for the facility.  There are plenty of science research institutes located outside major cities which do some excellent research, without being constrained by nearby construction and the limited space available to build.

Because London wants a bit of the action when it comes to biomedical research.  It is being heavily pushed by Boris and the London Development Agency or whatever it is called.  Not that that is a bad thing.  London is a good place for biomed research (I declare an interest here in that I work in the biotech patent industry for a firm with a London Office)

[4064ReadingAbbey]

What a curious concern. The Institute is already only metres away from St. Pancras with all its 25kV wiring and the Thameslink tunnel is almost underneath. The sub-surface lines are only the other side of the British Library. What difference will Crossrail 2 make?

[stuving]

What a curious concern. The Institute is already only metres away from St. Pancras with all its 25kV wiring and the Thameslink tunnel is almost underneath. The sub-surface lines are only the other side of the British Library. What difference will Crossrail 2 make?

That's exactly what struck me. A twin-track railway deep underground, using 25 kV AC^▸ (Alternating Current, or can mean Air Conditioning, depending on context. The second meaning is often used in a railway context and more generally), can't be hugely worse than a big station next door or a sub-surface line using 750 V (bigger currents) and DC^▸ (Direct Current) (harder to screen). Worth doing the sums, but if it does threaten to upset the machines then shoot the Crick's designers, not Crossrail's planners (who say they can build in a bit more screening just to be helpful anyway).